Leek cultivation technology

Leeks are an irreplaceable part of many dishes, the domineering owner of our gardens and greenhouses. This plant is rich in vitamins and nutrients, and its cultivation technique is extremely simple. What is the principle of sowing? The seeds are pre-soaked in water for about thirty minutes, after which they are left on a damp cloth for two to three days. This method is suitable both for planting seedlings and for planting seeds in the soil itself in the beds. Agree, simple and accessible to everyone.

Leeks are rich in vitamins and nutrients.

It is better to take seeds that have been in bed for two or three years; the agricultural technique of planting here must be strictly observed. When growing seedlings, special attention should be paid to pests and diseases to which onions are susceptible.

Planting leek seedlings

Leeks propagate in two ways: it can be successfully grown from seed or by using seedlings. In this case, the sowing method depends on where exactly the onion will be grown. So, for the southern regions, planting from seeds is also excellent, but the use of seedlings is recommended for the northern and central regions.

Onions are planted in this way:

• seeds are planted in seedling boxes in February (you can place them on windowsills);
• growing seedlings from seeds begins in mid-April (for glass greenhouses), at the end of April (for beds under film).

The depth of each groove in boxes for seedlings of leek seeds should be up to 2 cm. It is recommended to pre-fertilize the soil for onions.

Growing from seeds is carried out using the following technology:

1. The prepared soil is moistened, the distance between the rows should be 5 cm.
2. The depth of each groove in the seedling boxes should be 1-1.5 cm.
3. Seeds (it is better to take already lying 2 years, even for seedlings) are sown in the soil, the box is covered with foil and placed in a well-lit place at a temperature of + 22-25 ° C.
4. When the first shoots appear, the film can be removed, the temperature during the day drops to 20 °, at night - to 14 °.
5. A month later, for seedlings, it is necessary to undergo a vacuum, the seedlings should be dived into pots with a diameter of up to 4 cm. Planting seedlings in the ground begins in May, before that, it is recommended to shorten the roots and leaves of the prepared seedlings by about 1/3. For excellent seedling survival, it is recommended to dip the roots in a mixture of mullein and clay in equal proportions. Growing from seeds is organized a little differently. It is recommended to pre-fertilize the soil for onions. It's great if garlic, onions, carrots and cucumbers have been grown on it before. The cultivation from seeds itself is simple, the planting scheme is as follows:

• planting depth of each seed - up to 2 cm (for seedlings, this value increases slightly);
• scheme - 15x25 cm.

Care rules: secrets of experienced gardeners

The agrotechnology for growing leeks is quite simple, but it must still be followed exactly in order for the plant to become strong, healthy and tasty. The closest care is necessary at the beginning, immediately after planting, then the matter will go much easier.

The first and most important rule is to carefully monitor that there are no weeds in the beds. Get in the habit of not only watering, but also checking the beds, removing all the weeds that have appeared on them.

The soil should be kept moist, not allowed to dry out, but you should not arrange a swamp either.

During the season, it is required to huddle the plants two to four times in order to get a long, white leg, after each hilling leek, or rather the soil around it, is mulched using chopped straw, dry loose manure, mowed and slightly dried grass.

Onions do not tolerate fertilizers containing nitrogen, therefore, the choice of feeding should be considered carefully.

Leeks have one distinctive feature: their growth does not slow down, it can grow even if it is put into the basement for the winter. Therefore, it is necessary to provide him with constant feeding. It is recommended to start doing this after the plant reaches 15-20 cm, it will have four to five leaves.

Agricultural technology allows the use of such a composition: 1 liter of mullein is taken for 10 liters of ordinary water. The resulting solution is watered between the rows, after which the soil along each bed. It is impossible to pour liquid on the plants, onions do not tolerate this very well. But such a composition is suitable for poor soils, if the soil was previously well fertilized before planting, then you can do with watering with the help of infusions of such freshly cut herbs as nettle.

Attention! When feeding leeks, do not use fertilizers with a high nitrogen content, as the onion can simply rot, especially if it is stored for a long time in the cellar!

Proper farming practices are very strict with watering the plants. Onions require abundant watering, especially at a time when there is an intensive set of green foliage (which occurs in June), during the formation of a false bulb (in July). The soil in the beds should always be moist, but not wet or dry, this must be monitored.

Leeks are harvested in late autumn, but if the winter is not too cold, then you can leave the plants on the ground, the onions are quite winter-hardy. In the middle lane, it is recommended to sprinkle it with coniferous spruce branches, straw, light peat. In the spring, he begins to actively grow, while the rest of the greenery has not even been planted yet.

Diseases and pests of leeks

When growing leeks, problems such as damage by onion flies, black mold, fusarium, neck rot, onion rust, and downy mildew are possible. Let us consider in more detail what lesions and pests can harm plantings:

1. Mosaic is a viral disease of leeks, which is carried by common aphids. At the same time, spots of yellow color and longitudinal shape appear on the leaves, the onion stops growing. There are no measures to combat this disease, all affected plants are destroyed. You can only carry out preventive measures against aphids and ticks. It is also recommended to carry out cultivation from seeds that have already been in bed for 2-3 years, during which time the virus has time to completely die.
2. Downy mildew is a whitish, oval, fast-growing spot. Leeks, which are affected by this disease, become inedible, all affected plants must be removed, it is recommended to spray those remaining in the beds with a solution of phytosporin and copper oxychloride. An excellent preventive measure against this disease is the correct agricultural technology.
3. Leaf rust manifests itself in this way: on the foliage you can see clearly visible bright yellow pads, which are clusters of fungal spores. These pads gradually ripen, become dark, then turn black. All leaves that are infected begin to dry out. Affected plants must be immediately removed from the garden and destroyed so that fungal spores do not spread to neighboring plants in the garden.
4. Of the pests, leeks are most often affected by the onion fly, which eats the leaves, leaving large light passages in them. Fly larvae also cause a lot of trouble, they strongly affect the underground part of the plant. As a result, if you do not take any measures in time, the bow will simply die. To scare off a fly, it is recommended to grow carrots nearby, its specific smell is strongly disliked by the insect. At the same time, the onion itself must be watered with such a solution: one full glass of table salt is taken for 10 liters of water, after which the beds are watered at the root. It is recommended to sprinkle the soil itself with ground carrot or pepper seeds (per 1 square meter for a full teaspoon), wood ash (100 g / m2 each).

Proper care is the key to a good harvest

Leeks are a plant rich in vitamins and various minerals and can often be found in our gardens, although they cannot match the popularity of garlic and onions. This is due to the fact that, although caring for the plant is not very difficult, moisture-intensive, properly processed fertile soil is required for its normal growth, the growing season of the onion itself is quite long.

In addition to the fact that proper agricultural technology is needed, onions are often affected by pests and various diseases, and this can lead to the fact that most of the crop will simply die. Therefore, if you decide to grow from seeds, then it is best to take 2-3 years that have already lain down - in this case, many viruses have time to die before planting. Of course, we must not forget about watering, feeding the plant, which without this simply will not be able to develop correctly.

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Planting leeks for seedlings. Leeks: growing on site

Leeks are a versatile product. Due to its ability to quickly adapt to different climatic conditions, it is widespread throughout the world. It is consumed fresh, used in cooking, it is fried, boiled, steamed, dried, pickled, and this only makes it tastier. Leeks are used as a separate product, as a seasoning and as an addition to the preparation of vegetables for the winter. In this article, you will learn that planting leeks on the site is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. A little care of it, and in the fall you will have a storehouse of vitamins on your table.

Biological features

Consider leeks, the general characteristics of the variety are presented below. This is a biennial plant that does not form the bulbs we are used to. In the first year, a false stem is tied to the leek. It has a cylindrical shape and wide leaves, which are arranged in a fan-like manner around the stem. The most productive part of the plant is the false stem mentioned above. Its thickness can exceed 7 cm, and the bow reaches a height of 30 cm.

In the second year, the plant develops a victorious shoot, at the end of which a spherical inflorescence is formed. From it at the end of the growing season, you can collect seeds, thanks to which leeks are planted for seedlings.

It is necessary to observe a strict temperature regime of 2 ° C, in such conditions seeds will germinate and leeks will sprout. Growing seedlings is a painstaking process. Young shoots do not tolerate frost, but when the plant takes root, slight frosts are no longer dangerous for it.

There are two ways to grow leeks: planting seedlings or direct seeding into the soil. Below we will tell you more about both methods.

The best place to plant onion seedlings

In order for leeks to give a bountiful harvest, it must be grown in seedlings on well-cultivated fertile soils. A slightly acidic and neutral soil is excellent for this type of plant. Leeks are very moisture-loving, so they can be grown in moist loamy soils. In heavy clay soils, the plant develops poorly and sometimes dies. Urea, compost, superphosphate or potassium salt are used as fertilizers.

Leek. Growing seedlings from seeds

To quickly germinate seeds and get strong seedlings, you must resort to the following procedure. You need to place the seeds in hot water for 20 minutes, then in cold water. After the hardening procedure and to accelerate germination, the seeds are soaked for three days in warm water. After the seeds have hatched, they are dried on gauze, and then leeks are planted on seedlings.

We sow the seeds

In order to grow healthy leeks, the procedure must be carried out on time. To do this, the gardener will need boxes for growing seedlings, which should fit on the window. February is the best time to grow leeks from seeds fertile. Caring for the plant during this period requires minimal effort. Timely watering and regular spraying will do the trick. If you plan to grow seedlings in a greenhouse, sowing is carried out in mid-April. And already at the end of this month - the seeds can be planted in the beds. Remember to cover them with plastic wrap.

The boxes are filled with prepared soil, but not to the very top. Then the seeds are planted in a row with an interval of about 5 cm. The depth of such a groove is not more than 15 mm. After that, the boxes are covered with foil and placed in a warm and dry place. Inside the resulting greenhouse, the air temperature should be about 25 ° C. When the first shoots appear, remove the film and maintain the temperature regime all week - 12 ° C at night, and 17 ° C during the day. After a week of exposure, we observe 20 ° C during the day, and 14 ° C at night. And so throughout the entire stage of growing seedlings.

We take care of seedlings

After the first shoots have appeared from the seeds, careful care of the seedlings begins, on which the final result will depend.

Leek is a cultivated plant that loves water very much. Therefore, the soil should always be slightly damp. Do not overdo it with watering, otherwise the roots may rot. Make sure that the soil does not dry out, but it does not need to be over-wetted either.

Watering is carried out with warm water with low pressure. The whole procedure is done carefully so as not to damage the stems of the shoots. If you want a healthy and rich harvest, you don't need to limit yourself to watering. In this case, top dressing plays an important role. It is done once or twice.

In order for the root system to become more powerful and the stem thick, the leaves are trimmed. After this procedure, the length of the leaves should not exceed 10 cm.

Leek seedlings are planted after the plant is seasoned. Within six weeks, it is taken outside and the watering is gradually reduced. And then the seedlings are planted in open ground.

Planting leek seedlings correctly

When the seedlings have matured, it is time to plant them in open ground. Most often, this procedure is carried out in late April or early May. The site must be prepared in advance. Seedlings are planted in rows in previously prepared grooves. Planting depth is slightly deeper than in the boxes. The roots and leaves of the onion are pruned a little.

Rows are made at a distance of 50 cm from each other, and onion seedlings are planted, observing an interval of 10 cm. This ensures good growth for the plant and makes the hilling procedure more convenient.

Growing leeks

Planting leek seedlings is just the beginning. The most difficult thing is caring for a mature plant. Successful onion cultivation is based on two factors: grooming and feeding. Timely loosening of the soil and weeding is very important for a young plant. Watering and feeding leeks is carried out as needed. Most often, these procedures are performed during the growing season. For leeks, bird droppings are an excellent fertilizer; they are diluted with water in a ratio of 1:20.

After the young plant is well rooted, fertile soil is poured onto the garden bed. After a couple of months, the first hilling is carried out, then, as necessary, the procedure is repeated until harvesting. It is very good for a plant to add wood ash to the soil before hilling. Leeks do not tolerate weeds around them, so they need regular weeding.

To protect the harvest

Like any plant, leeks are susceptible to pests and various diseases. But its main advantage is that, in comparison with onions, it is still more persistent and is not so often attacked by pests or some kind of disease. Adhering to the above recommendations (correct planting of leeks for seedlings and adherence to agricultural cultivation techniques), as well as paying due attention to the plant, it is not so difficult to grow it healthy.

However, there are still insects that are dangerous for this culture. For example, an onion fly. Despite its name, this pest damages many plants. But still there is a plant that this insect does not tolerate - carrots. By planting these two crops side by side, the onion fly problem will be solved. Another pest is tobacco thrips. To combat it, special chemicals are used. But nature managed to take care and create a natural enemy for the tobacco thrips - a predatory mite.

One of the most famous ailments of leeks is powdery mildew. To get rid of it, use an effective remedy called Bordeaux liquid. And if white rot appears on the shoots and leaves, it's time to use lime soil.

We harvest and store it correctly

Depending on the onion variety, harvesting begins with the onset of the first frost, when 3-4 true leaves have already formed on the plant. The plant is carefully dug in and pulled out of the ground, holding by the shoots. The roots are removed with pruning shears, leaving no more than 2 cm of the root lobe, and the leaves are cut off 2/3 of the length. Leeks have excellent long-term storage properties. At the same time, the content of vitamin C in the stem does not decrease. It can be stored in the basement all winter, for this it is enough to maintain 80% humidity at a temperature of 1-3 ° C, and dig the stems in an upright position in slightly damp sand. If the sand is excessively wet, the air regime will be violated, which means that the plant may begin to rot.

In addition, leeks can be stored in unconventional ways. It is frozen, salted, pickled, dried, etc. Dried onions make an excellent addition to other seasonings. You can also pack onions in bags of 5-7 pieces and store in the refrigerator for about 5 months.

Useful properties of leeks

Leeks contain a lot of vitamins, as well as a lot of protein. High content of ascorbic acid, potassium, carotene, etc. allows you to use this product to improve metabolism, increase appetite, increase immunity and to treat a whole list of diseases. For example, in the treatment of rheumatism, kidney stones, obesity, salt deposits, gout, atherosclerosis.

Leek contains many useful substances. Growing, tending, planting on windows and germinating seeds are well worth the effort.

Summing up, we can say that leeks are worthy at least once to be in the garden of your garden.

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Technology for growing succulent bulbs in one season

Onions are a very popular garden crop grown by many gardeners. Many people love this plant due to its beneficial properties and piquant taste. It is consumed fresh, and also added to various dishes, snacks and salads. As a rule, to get large bulbs, you must first grow a set and only in the second year a conditioned crop is obtained. Now technologies have been developed and varieties have been developed that allow growing onions from seeds - from sowing to harvesting in one season.

Types of onions for seed growing

Today there are many varieties of onions that differ in appearance, taste, cultivation specifics and care features. Some varieties are grown for greens, others for ball-shaped bulbs.

The most common onion varieties include the following.

Chives or Rezun onions

This plant is native to Eastern Siberia, China and Northern Mongolia. A unique culture that grows in any climatic conditions is more often used for greens.

• Onion chives are little known to many, so they are grown in small quantities. This variety is most widespread in Siberia.
• This is a frost-resistant plant, the shoots of which can withstand temperatures up to -3-4 degrees. Chives are grown for feathers. Given the increased resistance to cold, the greens of this variety can be harvested until the end of December.
• Chives can be grown from seed or vegetatively. Seeds are planted both in the open field and in the greenhouse. The seeds of this hybrid have a high germination rate for two years. They are planted in early spring according to the 50x25 cm scheme. In addition, chives can be sown before winter. It can be grown as an annual, biennial, and perennial crop.
• To get fragrant and tasty greens, chives are often watered and periodically fed with organic and mineral fertilizers.
• Chives are a perennial herb that does not form bulbs. Unlike other varieties, this plant produces a huge amount of leaves and forms a powerful root system.
• Onion chives feather has a high taste, contains vitamin C and carotene.

Shallot

This is an early ripening variety with a delicate and mild taste of medium-sized and very aromatic louovits. This species is widespread in the North and East of Russia. Today, there are sharp and semi-sharp varieties of shallots. It is grown for feathers and for bulbs.

Shallots are a high-yielding variety. In one season, up to five kilograms of greenery and three kilograms of bulbs can be obtained from a 1m2 plot.

The cultivation of shallots is carried out with the help of baby seeds. The ripening period of the bulbs from the moment of planting the seeds is about three months. Shallots keep well.

Unlike onions, shallots are less pungent and more delicate in flavor. When sown from seed, shallots form a large number of bulbs in a nest - up to five. Their number is increasing every year.

Subject to all the rules of agricultural technology, the first greens can already be obtained three weeks after planting shallot seeds.

Slime onion

This culture received this name thanks to the mucus that the leaves secrete during breakage. This culture is grown on a feather, as well as, to obtain fruits - bulbs.

Slime onions are a perennial plant that is grown and propagated by seeds. It is recommended to plant seeds in nutritious soil. Otherwise, you can get bitter and unpleasant-tasting greens.

Slime onions are resistant to various diseases and pests. Basic care for this plant includes regular feeding, frequent watering, loosening the soil, and removing weeds from the site. The ideal and most harmless feeding for onions is ash, which is brought in during the growing season. The feather is cut in the second year after planting the seeds. Overgrown greens, reaching thirty centimeters in height, lose their taste and become rough. Therefore, it is necessary to cut only young leaves.

Slime onions, like many other members of the Onion family, are capable of growing a large number of onion babies, forming large clumps. Therefore, once every five years, slug onions must be planted. This plant can be grown even in winter, after transplanting it into a pot. Slime onion develops well at home on the windowsill and gives tasty and juicy greens.

Chalcedony

A mid-season onion variety with a ripening period of 3.5 to 4 months. It is a high-yielding crop that is grown using seed to produce bulbs. In one season, up to five kilograms of fruit can be obtained from a plot of 1m2. The chalcedony onion harvest is yellow, pungent, round-shaped bulbs that keep well between April and May. Great for growing with seeds.

Luke Globo and Exibition

These are relatively new varieties - giants, mid-season, intended only for seed growing. The size of one onion can be up to 1 kg. This is one of the largest salad hybrids. The fruits are sweet in taste, without a specific odor. Luke Globo and Exibition are successfully grown from seed in the open field through seedlings.

Batun onion

This is one of the most popular and beloved varieties in our country. Unpretentious, winter-hardy and high-yielding crop, widespread everywhere. Batun onion is a perennial that can grow in one place for up to five years. This plant is mainly grown for feathers. Instead of a bulb, the batun onion produces a thickened stem, which is called a false bulb. Propagate this culture using seeds and dividing the rhizome.

• Seed growing technology is more popular and effective. The seeds of this onion ripen on a long peduncle, after which they are harvested. You don't have to collect the seeds, but give them the opportunity to be sown around the bushes.
• Planting seed material is carried out on nutritious and well-lit land. This plant produces a large number of leaves, so it needs space for full growth. Batun onion seeds are planted at a distance of fifteen centimeters from each other, the distance between the rows is maintained at least half a meter.
• The feather is cut for the first time at the beginning of May. Batun onion gives very tasty and aromatic greens, the cut of which is carried out several times in one season. In the fall, the cut of greenery is stopped to allow the plants to prepare for wintering.
• Some gardeners grow batun onions as an annual or perennial crop. Planting of annual seeds is carried out at the end of April. Already at the beginning of September, you can get the first harvest of juicy and tasty leaves.
• At the end of July, a two-year-old onion is planted. Before the onset of cold weather, the seedlings should germinate and get stronger. Next year, from mid-summer to early October, you can enjoy delicious and juicy greens from your garden.
• Batun onion is resistant to drought, frost and various diseases, for which it is valued by many gardeners.

Leek

A very popular culture, which ranks third among all members of the Onion family. The cultivation technology of this variety is based on the use of seeds. The planting material has a high germination rate, which lasts for three years. Before sowing, the seeds undergo a special treatment. They are disinfected by lowering them alternately, first in hot, then in cold water.

To achieve earlier germination, the seed is germinated before planting. The seeds are laid out on damp gauze and placed in a warm place for three days. For ease of sowing, they are slightly dried. This procedure is carried out for seeds collected in their own area. You do not need to germinate purchased seeds.

Sowing of seeds is carried out in the second half of May.

Winter cultivation of leeks from seeds

Growing leeks from seeds before winter happens a little differently. This method is more effective in cooler climates. To obtain seedlings, seeds can be sown at the end of February in special boxes or in mid-April under a film on the site. If planting is carried out in winter, then the plants must be provided with twelve hours of daylight, the temperature regime is within 23-25 ​​degrees. For successful germination, the seedlings are covered with a transparent film until they germinate.

The productive value of this variety is a false stem. The feather is not edible. With good care, this part of the plant can reach fifty centimeters in length and four centimeters in diameter. It is a frost-resistant plant. Adult specimens successfully tolerate temperatures as low as -6-7 degrees. In mild climates, leeks can hibernate under snow. During the rainy and cold season, the plants form short and slender stems.

Growing onions from seeds is a painstaking process, but worthwhile. With good care and the right growing conditions, you can grow any variety and get a good harvest of aromatic greens and large bulbs.

LetovSadu.ru

How to grow leeks

We bring to your attention a material that tells about the best varieties of leeks and the conditions for their cultivation. You will learn how to grow leeks through seedlings and by planting seeds outdoors. For you, a description and photo of leek varieties.

Belongs to the lily family. His homeland is the Mediterranean coast. This culture was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans, it was also grown on the North coast of Africa (Egypt, Carthage, Algeria, Morocco).

In Russia, this type of onion is cultivated everywhere, but in a small volume, mainly only in suburban areas.

Young leaves and a thickened false stem are used as food for leeks. Leeks contain up to 2% protein, 10-12% carbohydrates, many salts and vitamins valuable for humans. The special value of this type of onion lies in the fact that, unlike all other vegetable crops, during storage, the content of vitamin C not only does not decrease, but, on the contrary, increases by 1.5 times by spring and reaches 75-85 mg per 100 G.

- biennial plant. In the first year of life, it forms a white false bulb, turning into a thickened false stem of light green color 10–60 cm high and 3–7 cm thick (“leg”). Leaves are lanceolate, wide (3–6 cm), long (40–60 cm). In the second year, the plant forms a flower shoot and produces seeds. Leek inflorescence is a spherical umbrella with a diameter of 9-15 cm, flowers are light lilac or white with a pleasant smell.

- cold-resistant culture. Seeds germinate at + 2–5 ° C, but they will germinate much faster at + 20 ° C. Optimum temperature for leaf growth + 15–20 ° C

Leek shoots do not tolerate frost. Rooted plants overwinter well in the ground under snow, however, without a sufficient protective layer of snow, when the air temperature drops below minus 15 ° C, they freeze out.

Leek responds positively to high light intensity and long daylight hours.

The culture makes high demands on soil fertility and moisture, and is highly responsive to the application of organic mineral fertilizers. The best soils for growing leek are moist loams and floodplain lands that have a neutral soil solution. Heavy clay and light sandy loam soils are not suitable for leeks. It does not tolerate acidic soils.

The best varieties of leeks: photo and description

We present you descriptions and photos of leek varieties. Among the hardships, you can choose for yourself the best leek varieties that are best suited for growing in your climatic zone.

The domestic variety Vesta and the Dutch varieties of leeks - Bandit, Ginka, Detri, Jolant and others deserve the attention of vegetable growers and gardeners.

Leek Karantana

The Karantansky leek is a late-ripening variety, from sowing to harvesting - 125-200 days. The shape of the "leg" is cylindrical, 10–25 cm high, 4 cm thick in the middle part. The leaf is dark green with a strong waxy coating. The taste is semi-sharp. The mass of one plant is 200–325 g. It is used fresh for salads.

Growing leeks through seedlings

Leeks are a late-ripening crop, so in the middle zone they are grown through seedlings. Sowing is carried out with soaked seeds in mid-March 60 days before planting in open ground. Leek seedlings are grown in small boxes, most often without picking. When sowing between rows, they give 4–5 cm, the seeding depth is 1 cm. Before emergence, they try to maintain a temperature of 20–22 ° C. Plants by the time of planting should have 3-4 leaves. They must be taken out very carefully, as the roots break off easily. Soil preparation and fertilization are the same as for onions. Growing leeks through seedlings guarantees a quick harvest.

Growing leeks

For growing leeks, open ground seedlings are planted in mid-May. Planting is carried out on a flat surface in rows spaced 40–45 cm apart, in a row the onions are spaced 10–12 cm apart from each other. Seedlings are usually planted in 7 cm deep furrows, the plants are placed on the side of the furrow, watered and sprinkled soil by 2-3 cm. Above the row is mulched.

Leek care consists in loosening row spacings, weeding and watering. Leek responds well to feeding with organic fertilizers; for this, a solution of mullein (with a dilution of 1: 8) or poultry droppings (1:15) is used. During the growing season, give 2-3 additional feeding. In summer, the rows are thinned so that by the time of harvesting the distance between the plants is 15–20 cm. To increase the length of the false bleached stems, two-, three-fold hilling is used.

Storing leeks

The leeks are harvested in early October, the plants are buried with a shovel, the coarse leaves are cut off. Leek, dug in the sand, is stored in a cool room at a slight positive temperature. Storing leeks requires regular inspection of the material and discarding spoiled stems.

Young leaves and a false stem, which have a pleasant mildly spicy taste, can be eaten both raw and boiled as a seasoning for salads and soups. They are put in many vegetable and meat dishes, they give a good taste and aroma to meat broth.

leek: photo gallery (click to enlarge):

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Growing leeks from seeds and through seedlings, features

Leeks are a perennial vegetable crop that tastes milder than other onion varieties. The plant has a powerful root system, with streamlike roots. The leaves are flat and long with a light to medium green color. The base of the leaf is a dense false stem. The plant blooms with small white flowers, the number of which reaches up to 600 pieces. Faded buds leave behind airy bulbs, which can later be used for reproduction.

Growing features

As mentioned above, it is completely easy to grow this vegetable crop in your area. For the success of this event, you need to know some of the features of growing leeks:

• Leeks prefer neutral soils and do not tolerate acidic environments very well. If the soil on the site is acidic, neutralizing fertilizers should be added to it. Lime and wood ash work well;
• this plant is distinguished by its exactingness to the moisture content of the soil cover. The humidity level must be at least 70%. Otherwise, the onion will be small with impaired taste;
• the growing season of leeks is quite long, about 200 days. For this reason, the method of sowing seeds in open ground is only suitable for the southern regions of Russia;
• the vegetable crop in question is considered the most frost-resistant;
• you can plant onions starting in February;
• this plant has a two-year growth cycle. In the first year, a false stem develops and leaves grow. In the second year, the arrows are ejected and the formation of small bulbs - one-toothed;
• leeks love light. It should be planted in well-lit areas. If planting is carried out in a greenhouse, then a well-lit place for boxes with seedlings should be provided;

From seed

The culture in question involves growing at home in two simple ways. One of them is growing from seeds. Before you start germinating seeds, you need to cull them. To do this, sprinkle the seeds on a white sheet of paper and select the strongest ones that do not have damage. The marriage should be thrown away.

The selected planting material should be disinfected with a thick solution of potassium permanganate. Further, the seeds should be soaked until they swell in a damp gauze cloth folded in several layers. Then they can be sown in a previously prepared moist soil. Seeds are sown along the grooves, sprinkled on top with a layer of soil. After a month, with proper care, the onions will show noticeable growth.

Through seedlings

The vegetation period of the leek takes quite a long time period. Therefore, for central Russia, a method such as growing onions, cut through seedlings, is more acceptable. In principle, this method is quite versatile and suitable for any region. Some gardeners prefer to grow leeks this way, regardless of external weather conditions. The fact is that with the help of seedlings, the chances of getting a high-quality harvest increase.

For growing seedlings, special plastic boxes are used. They should be filled with soil. Before planting, the soil must be well shed with a disinfectant solution. Before planting, seedlings must be germinated in the same way as described for growing onions with seeds. Only instead of open ground, the hatched seeds should be planted in boxes. Immediately after planting, the boxes should be covered with foil and placed in a bright place. The temperature regime in the room should be in the range of 20-24 degrees. As soon as the first shoots appear, the film should be removed and the care of the seedlings should be started. After 1.5-2 months, the seedlings will grow, and they can be planted in open ground.

Subject to all the intricacies of growing this plant, you can easily get a rich high-quality harvest of leeks. And, if you get the hang of it, then this culture can become one of the favorites, among those that grow on their own site.

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